Lzh Mi Bi Pm Pc 138Disposing Feces on Plants
Pāli / Sanskrit:Harituccārachaḍḍana
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Harituccārachaḍḍana Sutta: Rule on Urinating on Green Plants
Background
The Harituccārachaḍḍana Sutta is recorded in the Pāli Vinaya tradition, specifically in the Pācittiya section, minor offenses that bhikkhunīs must observe. This sutta is presented as a specific rule within the early Buddhist practicing community.
The background of this rule relates to common situations in monastic life. As Buddhism developed, monastic communities discovered that some actions that seemed harmless in fact affected the shared living environment, especially gardens and cultivated areas that provided food for the community. From this, the Buddha and the long-standing disciples established specific rules to maintain cleanliness, respect nature, and protect the shared environment.
The Harituccārachaḍḍana Sutta is one of these rules, reflecting the Buddhist philosophy of responsible living and respect for life.
Main Content
This rule states that female monastics must not directly discharge urine onto green plants (haritucc, from “harita,” green, and “ucchara,” excretion). This act is considered a Pācittiya fault, a violation requiring confession and remedy.
The reason behind this rule is not only hygiene, but also relates to the Four Noble Truths, a core principle in the Buddha’s teaching. It is respect for life, avoiding harm to other beings however small, and maintaining cleanliness for oneself and the community.
In the Pāli Vinaya system, rules such as this are not unjust impositions but practical guidelines based on experience. Each Pācittiya is connected with a specific story about how certain monastics violated a rule, leading to unwanted consequences. These rules are regarded as “training rules” (śikṣāpada) that train mind, body, and speech.
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